Adobe’s subscription model has pushed many photographers to explore alternatives. The good news: free photo editing software has improved dramatically. You can now build a complete editing workflow without spending a dollar, though compromises exist. Here’s what actually works in 2026.

Darktable: The Lightroom Alternative

Darktable is the most complete free RAW processor available. It handles everything from import to export, including library management, RAW development, and local adjustments. The interface is complex and takes time to learn, but the capability rivals Lightroom in most areas.

I particularly appreciate Darktable’s non-destructive editing and colour management. It handles wide colour spaces properly, supports ICC profiles, and produces excellent output quality. The masking tools have improved significantly in recent versions, making local adjustments actually usable.

Where Darktable struggles is workflow speed with large libraries. Managing thousands of images feels sluggish compared to Lightroom. The interface also assumes you’ll invest time learning its logic rather than discovering features intuitively.

The tone mapping and colour grading tools in Darktable are powerful once you understand them. The filmic RGB module produces excellent results for high dynamic range scenes. It’s not simpler than Adobe’s tools, but it’s certainly as capable.

RawTherapee: The Precision Option

RawTherapee appeals to photographers who want maximum control over RAW conversion. It exposes more technical parameters than Darktable, giving you precise control over demosaicing, sharpening, and noise reduction algorithms.

This precision comes at a cost: complexity. RawTherapee demands you understand what all these controls do. It’s not software for casual editing sessions. But if you want to extract maximum quality from RAW files and don’t mind learning technical details, it’s exceptional.

I use RawTherapee for images that need careful, deliberate processing—landscape work where every detail matters, product photography requiring perfect colour, technical documentation. It’s not my daily editor, but for specific needs, it outperforms simpler alternatives.

The batch processing capabilities are solid. Set up processing profiles and apply them to multiple images efficiently. This makes RawTherapee viable for commercial work despite being free software.

GIMP: The Photoshop Replacement

GIMP handles pixel-level editing that RAW processors don’t address—compositing, retouching, text work, and complex selections. It’s not Photoshop, and trying to use it exactly like Photoshop leads to frustration. Learn it on its own terms, and it’s remarkably capable.

The selection tools work well once you adjust to GIMP’s approach. Layers, masks, and blend modes all function as expected. Plugin support expands capabilities significantly—G’MIC in particular adds powerful effects and adjustments.

Where GIMP falls short is non-destructive editing. It’s a destructive pixel editor, so you need to maintain layered working files to preserve editing flexibility. This workflow differs from Lightroom’s approach but works fine once you adapt to it.

Text handling in GIMP remains awkward compared to Photoshop. Creating text graphics or adding captions feels clunky. I do text work elsewhere when possible and use GIMP for actual image editing.

Affinity Photo: The Paid Alternative Worth Mentioning

I’m breaking my “free only” rule to mention Affinity Photo because it’s genuinely the best Photoshop alternative at any price. It’s a one-time purchase (around $100 AUD), not a subscription, and it handles 95% of what photographers need from Photoshop.

The RAW processing is adequate but not exceptional. I still prefer Darktable for RAW work. But for everything after RAW conversion—retouching, compositing, masking, effects—Affinity Photo matches or exceeds Photoshop capability.

If you can stretch your budget to include one paid tool, Affinity Photo delivers more value than Adobe subscriptions that cost $200+ per year ongoing.

Photopea: Browser-Based Editing

Photopea runs entirely in your web browser but mimics Photoshop’s interface and capabilities surprisingly well. It handles PSD files, supports layers and smart objects, and includes most adjustment tools photographers regularly use.

The advantage is accessibility—any device with a browser can run Photopea. No installation, no system requirements beyond modern web standards. I’ve used it on client computers when I needed quick edits without access to my usual tools.

Performance obviously can’t match native applications, but for basic to moderate editing tasks, Photopea works well. The free version includes ads, or you can pay for an ad-free experience. Even with ads, it’s impressively functional.

Specialized Free Tools

DxO PhotoLab offers a free version (formerly called OpticsPro) that excels at lens corrections and noise reduction. The RAW processing quality is excellent, though the free version limits some advanced features.

Capture One Express provides free versions for Sony and Fujifilm camera users. It’s the full professional software but restricted to specific camera brands. If you shoot Sony or Fujifilm, this is an excellent free option that rivals any commercial software.

Luminar Neo has a free trial worth exploring if you’re interested in AI-powered editing tools. The trial limitations eventually push you toward purchase, but you can accomplish significant editing during the trial period.

Building a Free Workflow

My recommended free workflow combines Darktable for RAW processing and library management with GIMP for pixel-level editing. This covers probably 95% of what most photographers need.

Import images to Darktable, perform basic adjustments (exposure, colour, contrast, local adjustments), and export to JPEG or TIFF. For images requiring additional work—retouching, compositing, advanced masking—open the exported file in GIMP.

This two-tool approach separates parametric RAW editing from destructive pixel editing, matching how many professionals work with Lightroom and Photoshop. The tools are different, but the workflow logic remains sound.

The Honest Trade-Offs

Free software requires more learning investment than commercial alternatives. Adobe’s tools benefit from enormous user bases, abundant tutorials, and decades of refinement. Free alternatives often lack documentation and assume higher technical knowledge.

Compatibility can be an issue. If you collaborate with other photographers or studios, working in free software while everyone else uses Adobe creates friction around file sharing and editing handoffs.

Some advanced features simply don’t exist in free options. Adobe’s content-aware fill, subject selection AI, and cloud synchronization have no equivalent in free software. Decide whether these features matter for your specific work.

Updates and support follow different models. Free software relies on volunteer developers and community support rather than paid support teams. This means slower feature development but also means no subscriptions and no forced upgrades.

Making the Choice

If you’re starting out or shooting recreationally, free software is entirely sufficient. Darktable and GIMP can produce professional-quality results. Your skills matter far more than your software.

If you’re established professionally and already using Adobe, switching to free alternatives might not make sense. The time investment to learn new software has costs even if the software itself is free.

But if Adobe’s pricing frustrates you and you’re willing to invest time learning different tools, free options in 2026 are genuinely viable. I know photographers producing excellent work entirely within free software ecosystems. The tools exist—what matters is whether you’re willing to learn them.